The Commons apartments take out top gong at Premier’s Design Awards

Good Design Australia announced the 2014 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards at a gala event in Melbourne last night.

The overall Award went to Victorian architectural firm Breathe Architecture and developer Small Giants for their work on The Commons apartments. The Commons was selected as the overall winner for its innovative approach to design resulting in apartments that are generous, simple, affordable and sustainable.

“This is a completely new and innovative approach to apartment block design and construction and will set a benchmark for others to follow,” said Dr. Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia, who manage the Awards on behalf of the Victorian Government.

The design strategy was to build a vertical community where residents share rooftop gardens, solar hot water, electricity generation systems, roof top laundry, bike parking and communal beehives.

The Judges commented: “The Commons is beautifully designed to allow us to experience living the future – a working prototype for urban living.”

The design of The Commons has been a catalyst for bringing together socially responsible individuals who are now striving to give back not only to their neighbours but also to improve their broader community.

Six Best in Category Awards were handed out across the key disciplines of Architectural Design, Product Design, Digital Design, Design Strategy and Communication Design.

“The design projects featured in this year’s Premier’s Design Awards reaffirm the international calibre and diversity of Victoria’s design and creative sector.” Dr. Gien commented.

The annual awards program celebrates the very best of Victorian design and innovation and provides a unique platform for Victorian designers and businesses to showcase their best work to a national and international audience. The program attracted an exemplary standard of submissions for 2014 that highlight the breadth and diversity of design, creativity and innovation currently flourishing in Victoria.